The work-life is coming back to the office. Still, people continue to use these tools because those software packages have only been shown to be beneficial and boost productivity, whether used in-house or remotely.
Two of those apps are Google Jamboard and Microsoft Whiteboard. This article compares Jamboard vs. Whiteboard to help you decide between the two.
Disclaimer: Jamboard is both an app and a physical device, and this comparison only focuses on the Jamboard app.
What is Jamboard
Google created the collaboration tool Jamboard, which encourages agile working. Jamboard lets you preset, brainstorm ideas, and collaborate on projects in both office and virtual environments.
From text to drawings, we have options to add almost anything.
Jamboard is the ideal tool for usage during virtual meetings. It offers 20 frames per jam, allowing you to go between screens and work simultaneously on several separate tasks.
Jamboard offers several stylus choices, including a laser stylus.
This tool is intended to be used with Google Workspace. If your system allows it, you can also utilize a touch screen to participate on Jamboard.
Every presentation or slideshow is stored in the cloud via Google Drive, enabling remote access from any device.
Pros
✔️ Teams may use Jamboard in Google Meet to share files from Google Drive and work together
✔️ Easy to use
✔️ Shareable
Cons
❌ Documents, videos, and music cannot be added
❌ Ink-to-shape recognition is not available
❌ Templates are not offered
What is Whiteboard
Microsoft’s Whiteboard is another excellent digital tool for teamwork and learning settings. Whiteboard and Google’s Jamboard are close competitors.
Whiteboard has many more capabilities and features. Although it has all the functionality offered by Jamboard, it also has several other functions.
Whiteboard is available for free download from the Microsoft Store.
The app is a fairly easy solution to make collaboration easier, especially in virtual settings.
Pros
✔️ Free
✔️ Collaboration is unlimited
✔️ There are many templates available
Cons
❌ Only integrates with Microsoft Teams
❌ Can’t add templates
❌ To view boards, you’ll need a Microsoft account
Related: Google Keep vs. Trello
Jamboard vs. Whiteboard
Screens
On a Jamboard, each screen functions as a separate whiteboard that you can use it to write or draw on, add text or photos, or place notes. Anytime you need a reminder or a to-do list, you can make sticky notes.
You can create as many screens as you want with Whiteboard because it gives you an infinite canvas for screens.
There are numerous options available on each screen, and the toolbar offers pens, highlighters, text boxes, sticky notes, and much more.
Images
You have various choices when it comes to adding images to your Jamboard. You can upload an image from your device, Google Drive, or even perform a quick Google image search and insert it.
Your Jamboard screen can also be saved as an image or a PDF document.
Similar to Jamboard, Whiteboard enables you to insert photos, but you can only upload images from your device. Also, you can only save your screen as an image file with Whiteboard.
Background
Jamboard also allows you to customize your background so that it isn’t always a “white” board.
In Whiteboard, you can customize the screen’s background by choosing one of the ten available colors or one of the nine available grids, which include Square, Graph, Hybrid, and more.
The Whiteboard app also provides interesting whiteboard tips as you use the app.
Text box
Using the textbox tool on Jamboard, you can select the text style you want, such as a title, header, etc.
Whiteboard’s text box allows you to write your text in more colors than Jamboard’s limited palette of six.
Related: Microsoft Editor vs. Grammarly
Drawing tools
In Jamboard, you can select your pen colors, add text, draw objects, and even use a laser.
In contrast, you can add documents to your Whiteboard space, but it only supports PDF files. The toolbar offers various shapes you can draw and reactions with emojis that you can insert.
Sticky notes
Jamboard allows you to make sticky notes generically.
In Whiteboard, reaction features on the sticky notes add to the fun and creativity of your space.
Additionally, the sticky notes have a gradient backdrop in 12 colors, making them appear friendlier.
You can also use your sticky notes to make a grid, which is perhaps the greatest sticky note feature we’ve ever seen. You can do this by taking several notes at once.
Sharing
Jamboard instantly uploads your progress to your Google Drive and stores it. You can share the Jamboard’s link with anyone. They don’t require a Google account to view it.
In comparison, you can share a link to your Whiteboard so that meeting attendees can view it using Microsoft Teams.
All Whiteboard apps for Windows 10, iOS and the web app are simultaneously accessible from the same whiteboard.
Templates (Whiteboard)
The Templates feature of Microsoft Whiteboard is the coolest element that sets it apart from Google’s Jamboard.
Nine templates are available, including ones for brainstorming, problem-solving, design and research, strategy, project planning, retrospective, games, workshops, and learning.
The templates are a solid starting point for creating whiteboards for usage inside organizations.
Ink-to-Shape recognition (Whiteboard)
Microsoft Whiteboard features an ink-to-shape recognition function that turns your drawings into shapes.
Not sure about the two? Check out our hand-picked Jamboard alternatives and explore other similar apps.
Platforms
The Jamboard app is available for Android, iOS, and the web, where teams may easily contribute to the creative process from their phone, tablet, or Chromebook.
Whiteboard supports the following platforms:
- Web browsers
- Microsoft Teams meetings, chats, and channels
- Windows
- iOS
- Android
- Surface Hub
Integrations
Jamboard takes the cake in this round. It can be integrated with most Google Workspace apps (Drive, Gmail, Docs, etc.). It also supports iceScrum. Whiteboard currently only integrates with Microsoft Teams.
Any cost of using both
As mentioned, Jamboard is also a physical 55-inch 4K display. It costs $4,999 per kit plus $600 in handling fees.
No ongoing yearly fees are included; this is a one-time payment made at the time of purchase. The Google-provided Jamboard app is available for free.
Although anybody with a Microsoft account can use Microsoft Whiteboard for free, it works best with a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Jamboard or Whiteboard?
For your collaboration requirements, both applications come highly recommended; all you have to do is pick the one that works best for you.
But if we had to select between the two, Microsoft’s Whiteboard would win out because of its much-rich features, which are all offered for free. What’s your pick? Here are links to get you started.
Jamboard vs. Whiteboard: Links
Conclusion
Whiteboard and Jamboard are two excellent collaboration tools that offer excellent features for agile working for entirely free.
Both interfaces are simple and easy to use, and there is much room for future development.
I hope the article helped you find the best app. Please share it with others to help them decide.